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Inspired by the works of Arthur C. Clarke, J.G. Ballard and Philip K. Dick, Infinite Summer sees Michael Lovett’s NZCA Lines “marry sci-fi futurism to personal intimacies” to produce what must surely be one of the funkiest apocalyptic concept albums of all time. Indeed, also featuring former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley and drummer Sarah Jones (Hot Chip, New Young Pony Club), the follow-up to 2012’s self-titled debut may center on […]

Named after a term used for trained assassins he heard in a documentary on espionage, Skilled Mechanics sees trip-hop trailblazer Tricky assemble his own killer team for the most collaborative studio effort of his lengthy career. Some of those on board are no stranger to the world of Adrian Thaws, including regular vocalist Francesca Belmonte who lends her sultry tones to the eerie synth-balladry of “We Begin,” drummer Luke Harris […]

As you’d expect from a founding member of studious classical-electro outfit Clean Bandit, British-Ugandan vocalist/rapper Love Ssega certainly isn’t short on brainpower. Born and raised in South London, the 24-year-old graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, then made the brave decision to quit the aforementioned Grammy winners to finish his Ph.D. in laser sensing. Love Ssega (real name Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka) is just as cultured as he […]

Judging by all the pre-release talk of shunning EDM, steering dance music back into a proper direction and making a piece of art, you’d expect Steve Angello’s second solo LP, Wild Youth, to be something of a game-changer. So it’s slightly baffling to hear that the Stockholm DJ has delivered the kind of unadventurous, generic and largely forgettable record he appears to be rallying against. Indeed, featuring guest appearances from […]

David Bowie, arguably one of the most influential figures in modern music for the past 40-plus years, died on Sunday, Jan. 10 after a battle with cancer. He was 69. While previous rumors of his death in years past were greatly exaggerated, the news has been confirmed by Bowie’s representatives and his son Duncan Jones (via Twitter). The following statement appears on Bowie’s official Facebook page: “David Bowie died peacefully […]

So after crowning Jamie xx’s “Loud Places” and Bob Moses’ Days Gone By as the greatest single and album of 2015 respectively, we now switch our attention to what we can expect to hear over the next twelve months in the world of dance/electronica. The first big album out of the blocks this year is Moth (Jan 22), the third album from alt-pop duo Chairlift, which judging by its first […]

Lynyrd Skynyrd: “Last Of a Dyin’ Breed”

The All Blacks USA, Inc. (2012)

It goes without saying that southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd have never been quite the same since a 1977 plane crash took the lives of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve & Cassie Gaines (along with the pilots and road manager Dean Kilpatrick). So it’s difficult, if not unfair, to compare their latest release Last of a Dyin’ Breed (or any of their recent releases) with their earlier work, because simply put, it’s not the same band. Guitarist Gary Rossington is the only remaining original member, and among the lengthy roster of former members are at least five more who have passed on since the crash.

Suffice it to say, then, that the reincarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd (with Ronnie’s brother Johnny covering the vocals since 1987) doesn’t so much serve the purpose of rekindling a career as preserving a tradition—a tradition of great music, particularly of solid, southern-fried, outlaw rock & roll. And in that regard, Last of a Dyin’ Breed does that quite well.

Avoiding the aforementioned comparisons, let’s just be clear on style: Lynyrd Skynyrd isn’t preserving tradition by staying in a complete time warp. Dyin’ Breed definitely reminds us of days gone by, but it’s also got a lot of modern-day southern rock elements. (“Homegrown”, in fact, sounds like it could have been lifted from a Nickelback record.) The first sound you hear on the opening title track is the signature slide guitar, letting you know without a doubt what you’re getting on this record. Must-listens on the record include the anthemic “Ready to Fly,” the soul-infused “Nothing Comes Easy,” and the jammin’ “Do It Up Right,” but the fact is that southern rock fans will enjoy pretty much all of the 15 tracks on this record.

The fact is, the whole Lynryrd Skynyrd reboot thing was a huge risk in and of itself, because given the band’s history and overall age, it could easily have evoked more pity than pride from the fans—as though a has-been band is coughing out its last breaths. But let’s just say Last of a Dyin’ Breed doesn’t convey that vibe at all. It’s well-produced, well-played, and well-written, and does the band proud. And the fact that the band’s post-hiatus stretch has now lasted longer than its pre-crash incarnation is testament to their ability to stand the test of time. As Judy Van Zant Jenness puts it on the Lynyrd Skynyrd History website, “Three decades after the tragedy that decimated the original Skynyrd band, millions of fans still buy the records, feel the songs, understand the power.” Dyin’ Breed will add value to any fan’s Skynyrd collection, and indeed the collections of southern rock fans everywhere.

4 / 5 stars

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About the Author

Tim Ferrar's interest in pop and rock started as a child, listening to Top-40 radio for hours on end while playing air guitar in his bedroom. Eventually air guitar led to electric guitar, and Tim began playing in bands and writing his own songs. With an admitted weakness for "a great hook or a great guitar riff," Tim's musical tastes are broad and varied, ranging from Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga on the pop side to Bon Jovi and Foo Fighters on the rock side- making him the ideal guy to cover our Rock and Pop categories.
By day, Tim is a mild-mannered accountant in Chicago. By night, he rocks out on electric guitar in a cover band in various clubs around town- much to the surprise of some of his clients.